Coffin-fastener



GOPPIN PASTBNBR. No. 436,035. Patented Sept. 9, 1890.

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be a full, clear, and exact description UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

COFFlN-FASTEN ER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 436,035,

dated September 9, 1890.

Application filed Tune l1, 1890. Serial No. 355,093. (No modell) To all whom it may concern,.-

`Be it known that I, HERMAN R. GROTHAUS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Richmond, in the county of Wayne and Sta-te of Indiana, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Locks for Gaskets and Coflins; and I do declare the following to of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art'to which it appertains to make and use the same,reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

My invention relates to that class of locks which are self-acting and operate without a key.

The object of Iny invention is to produce a lock or safety-catch, which when applied to caskets or coffms is not visible, and which forms a perfectlysecure fastening for the top or cover of the same, and which requires a knowledge of its construction to enable a person to open it.

My invention consists of the mechanical devices constructed and operating as herein described and claimed.

In the drawings, Figure l is a longitudinal sectional view of the vertical side of a casket or coffin and lid with my improved lock in similar section in position. Fig. 2 is a similar view to Fig. l, showing another form of the lock, both being intended for use on the same side of casket, one near the head and the other near the foot of the same. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the catch-bar of my lock. Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the body of the lock as let into the upper edge of the side piece of the coffin on its inner surface, presenting the closed side of the lock.

In Fig. 2, A represents the vertical wall forming the side of a coflin or casket; B B B, the metal body of the lock let into the wall, and D represents the cap and catch-post of the lock, which is attached to the lid or cover by screws e e.

C is the body of a rubber block or spring, which occupies a recess of a form nearly square in the body of the lock, said rubber block C having a curved arm or continuation C', against of the which inclines downwardly and rests the beveled surface of the back side head of catch-post D. The curved spring=arm C is reenforced by a spiral spring E, which has its lower end bearing against the metal shoulder of the inside part of the lock and its opposite end resting against the lower end of the rubber arm C', tending to hold the same firmly against the head of the catch-post D, and thus preventing the cap-plate D carrying the. catch-post D from a rear movement without requisite pressure being applied. The upper surface of the body of the lock D3 D3, Fig. 4, is provided with a rectangular opening F, one end of which is provided with a bevel-surface 9c, upon which the beveled front surface of the catch D impinges as it is pressed downward into the lock, when in its descent it comes in contact with the arm C', which is forced rearward until it reaches and passes the lower horizontal surface of the xed catch B when the springs C and E have a tendency to carry it forward to a point of contact with said catch B', which secures the lid and completes the fastening.

The construction and operation of the form in Fig. l is the same as described in Fig. 2, with the exception of the springs C and E and their functions, as they are both attached to the body and lid of the same casket and are intended to co-operate in the fastening of the same, the form used in Fig. 2 being applied right and left handed to each side wall and correspondingly to the lid and attached in the manner described.

To unlock or release the lid, it is only necessary to move the lidendwise in the proper direction far enough to release the catch D from contact with the :liXed catch B', when the lid is free and readily removable.

Having thus fully described my said invention,what I claim as new, and desire to secure 'by Letters Patent, is-

- A lock composed of the body B, catch B',- rubber spring C, provided with the arm C', spring E, plate D, provided with holes it, and catch-post D', all constructed and operating in the manner and for the purpose substantially as set forth and described.

In testimony whereof I aiiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

HERMAN R. GROTHAUS. Witnesses:

W. T. DENNIS, AMos K. SHUTE.

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